IS THERE A CORONATION IN THE FUTURE

Dennis comments ♦ January 17, 2020 ♦ Leave a comment

WHAT IS A PATRIOT?  WHAT IS A BULLY? WHAT IS AN IMPOSTER?  ARE WE A PEOPLE OR A COWARDLY HEARD?   (TO MY BROTHER, JIM, USAF.) 

 I had a younger brother.  He was a career air force rescue helicopter pilot. He died. Not in battle, not from old age, but from a war injury; a different type than ordinarily recognized by the military or our government, but a war injury, nonetheless.  He flew rescue helicopters in Viet Nam and thereafter for two plus decades.  His mission was air search and rescue. He and his helicopter were always getting shot at during Viet Nam.  Later, he took a less stressful job picking up astronauts, film cannisters and other space junk.  When satellites sent signals rather than films, he trained with various international special operations teams in counter-terrorist drills, still working high stress missions.  He trained with the Sayavet Maktel, of Entebbe fame, GSG9 in Germany, RFI in France and SAS in England.  He underwent Desert, Water, Desert and Jungle survival training and test flew a helicopter guidance system. He never talked about his job and was modest about its challenges.   More importantly, he dedicated his life to service and Constitutional government.  His unrecognized war connected disability wore out his liver.  It had help from Johnny Walker.  He was 1 year my younger and somewhat more adventuresome but less imaginative.

          The reason I comment about him at this time is because of the current administration’s dishonor and lack of respect shown real heroes by wanna be “patriotic” cowards who sit around boastfully bragging how they would fight and run the Government if they had power, when in fact they are ignoramuses  lacking in logic and humanity.  They think war is a game like one between the Broncos and the Chiefs.  They see war as a single contest, not as part of a strategy for world survival.  They are so ignorant and callous that they don’t realize that real people die and there are real and serious ramifications of war.  Nations have militaries and weaponry to prevent wars, not to use as playthings.  Missiles and bombs don’t exist so that some child-like brat can play with them when he doesn’t get his way.  They are not toys, and casualties are real, not images in a video game.  He endured hardship and stress.  He would have been embarrassed by anyone who described a POW as, a non-hero as though surviving as a POW is an everyday occurrence and a display of carelessness rather than courage.

          He was a war hero in the true sense.  He never bragged, he tried to save lives and served his country as well as his sense of honor without fanfare or accolade.  He didn’t call in strikes because he was shot at or he felt danger.  He did his job.  However, he did speak his mind and stood up for the Constitution.  He objected to Viet Nam, not because of the merits or moral judgment, but because Congress didn’t do their job and avoided declaring war, allowing another branch of Government to usurp congress.  He didn’t agree with my position politically but defended my First Amendment Right to express it, although we agreed that the congressmen that would not address the war issue were true cowards, sacrificing young lives because the elected officials lacked the courage to speak out.  So, he bottled up his frustration and doubt and continued trying to save lives after the war ended.

          Since his birthday a few weeks ago, I have thought a lot about him and his colleagues.  They were dedicated.  They were disappointed when the Government refused to let them re-enter the country coming home from Viet Nam if addicted to heroin, a condition directly related to US policy.  He bit his tongue when bar braggards would extol their war virtues and heroism and was ashamed over the Mai Lai massacre and other Phoenix programs.  He won commendations, not told to his family or outsiders.  He was modest, conflicted, and honorable.  This is an example.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Captain James R. Blewitt, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an HH-53 Copilot in Southeast Asia on 21 March 1970. On that date, Captain Blewitt flew an extremely hazardous mission into one of the most heavily-fortified hostile areas in Southeast Asia in an attempt to rescue a downed American airman. Although continually subjected to intense and accurate hostile ground fire, Captain Blewitt maintained a vital communications link with the other rescue forces in the area and provided precise and invaluable navigational assistance to the aircraft commander. Through his personal bravery and the energetic application of his knowledge and skill, Captain Blewitt greatly furthered the rescue effort. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Blewitt reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Action Date: March 21, 1970

Service: Air Force

Rank: Captain

Distinguished Flying Cross

Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain James R. Blewitt, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an HH-53 Rescue Helicopter copilot in Southeast Asia on 31 December 1969. On that date, Captain Blewitt participated in the rescue of an American airman from hostile territory. Despite the threat of hostile ground fire, Captain And like Blewitt provided the needed close protective cover and vital communications relay for the rescue helicopter. Captain Blewitt’s energetic application of his knowledge and skill significantly contributed to the successful accomplishment of this mission. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Blewitt reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Action Date: December 31, 1969

Service: Air Force

Rank: Captain

          Like many Viet Nam vets, he suffered delayed stress syndrome. And like many with Delayed Stress Syndrome, it went untreated.  And, like many of his colleagues, his liver quit prematurely.  He supported me when I circulated the Constitutional Amendment petition calling for abolishing a draft without a declaration of war from Congress. From his perspective war criticism or promotion was a Constitutional issue protected by the First Amendment.  He admired conscientious objectors, who served under fire as medics and other of my clients that refused taking oaths at induction and went to prison for five years, calling them “true” heroes.  The most traumatic war experience for him was the Mai Lai massacre, and the whole Phoenix program of assassinations which was instrumental in his decision to relinquish command of B-52’s and transition into air search and rescue.  Some would call it war neurosis. 

          We disagreed often on many political issues, but believed in law, Constitution, honor, and duty to the people.  I am sorry he died, but grateful that he doesn’t have to see how an administration was voted in a way which has dishonored him and his contemporaries.  He didn’t agree with many fellow citizens but respected the rights to their opinions.  When one of his superiors criticized my activism, he told the officer that he thought the first Amendment rights were what he was fighting for.

          I bring all this up now, because I speculate regarding his reaction to current events.  We used to discuss every election in phone calls comparing views with each other, often on a speaker phone with his squadron listening in.  I wonder how he would react to an ignorant, selfish, Fascist president who disregarded law, respect of others and the whole system of Government.  He would loathe the politicians who stand up for such selfish, egotistic, ignorant head of Government who views the only job of a President is that of Commander in Chief rather than chief executive of a government.  We were both spurred on by President Kennedy’s call for dedication to humanity and Government, extoling us to ask what we could do for that entity, instead of raping, pillaging and plundering by the rich to the detriment of the people.  I wonder how he would view a President mocking wounded, imprisoned or deceased veterans.  I miss him and the many like him who had beliefs and standards that were firm and unfailing.

          I am sure he killed.  He was at war.  But I am certain he didn’t because he could.  He was a serviceman, not a bully.  He would be ashamed to have a murderer as commander in chief, who contrived excuse for justification for war crimes without any sense of guilt or consequences.  Murder is illegal unless there is a recognized legal justification.  If no justification or defense, it is murder.  Fear is not a defense.  Anger is not a defense, announcing 7 months in advance is a confession, not a defense.  The perpetrator isn’t a war criminal like Hitler, he is a murderer.  All politicians who didn’t speak out are accessories before, during, or after the fact.  In a just society, they would face murder charges instead of being rewarded.  It is time to abandon the cowards and honor our citizens who put country over personal gain or profit. My brother died for his government, the Constitution, and a system of laws, not a political party, or military cult or putsch. What is happening now with government and a lawless executive is an affront to warriors like my brother and others who sacrificed for their country.  Where is the citizen outrage?  Where is the honor?  Where are those who swore to protect the Constitution with their oaths?  Or are we now a nation of ruthless, unprincipled cowards?